by Sharon MacGregor
I am a freelance writer and columnist living in Sulllivan County. My husband and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary last year and are raising our two man-cubs with both old-fashioned and modern parenting styles. Another member of our family is our one-year old, yellow Lab, Maddy. I look forward to sharing a slice of our family life and family related news with the Hudson Valley Parent community!
Your child has expressed an interest in a college, you have done the research and signed up for an Open House. Here's one family's point of view...
Upon arrival - you and your future college student are a bit excited, anticipatory and maybe a bit nervous. The college has a continental breakfast for everyone including bagels, coffee, tea, juice and water. The staff and administrators are clicking up and down hallways, some are gathered to meet and greet parents and young adults. The milling about and waiting feels somehow similar to that of a hospital waiting room, my eyes sometimes lock with another mother and we smile, bonded and silently communicate, "I feel it, too."
Commonly this initial informal gathering is followed by the entire group filing into an auditorium for a formal introduction to information that will interest all potential students including some majors available and a financial aid overview. Almost everyone wants their individual questions answered and if this is your first Open House, please realize not only will you leave without being able to ask all of your questions, new ones may arise by the end of the day. Try to write them down and later organize them by topic; admissions procedures, financial aid, residence or other topic.
Following the formal presentation are usually campus tours. Groups are formed and we file out behind a student. I realize I am the only mother of a son. I can hear the parents questions. What are the rules regarding co-ed living arrangements? Overnight guest policies? How are they enforced? The questions are asked and I smile. I am relieved by their concern, though my son will probably commute to school, not live on campus, it is for his protection as well.
Security, the location of emergency call boxes with cameras and individual picture identification cards necessary for admission to all buildings are explained and the parents nod and sigh.
We are shown cafeterias, libraries, classrooms, lecture halls, computer and science labs, social/gathering rooms and lastly, a residence hall.
Two actual, in use and occupied rooms have been designated a part of the tour. They are decorated in a teen style, complete with posters, and the parents feel the square footage is satisfactory.
"Who cleans the bathroom," a potential student asks.
The answer? The students who occupy the room attached to the bathroom are responsible for keeping it clean. Single occupancy rooms are not available without a medical reason (wheelchair bound or needing an aid or assistant.)
The tour ends two hours later with lunch. We are ravenous from politely turning down the breakfast treats. Some press on, the next segment is to meet with faculty and others concentrating on your chosen major or course interest.
Our day is concluded. I must find out more about FAFSA for financial aid. Good luck to you and your future college graduate.
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